Carrier Pros and Cons

Shopping for a new carrier can be really daunting! There are so many types and acronyms! How do you know what will work for you? We’ve compiled a list of pros and cons of each type of carrier which can help you decide what you think will work for you and your baby. And course, you can try all of these at any meeting and even borrow one for a month to figure out if it’s really right for you and your baby.

SSC’s (aka – Soft Structured Carriers)

Soft Structured Carriers (SSCs) are basically buckle carriers. They have a waist buckle, square of fabric, shoulder straps and often a chest clip.

Pros:

Quick to use

Easy to learn to use

Once you figure out your perfect settings there’s little to no adjusting for future uses

The more structured waist provides lots of back support for toddlers/preschoolers

Cons:

It can be tricky to find your perfect setting

It can be tricky to get a good fit for two very different sized parents

They are the least adjustable to fit the child. You may have to buy different sizes as your child grows from infancy to toddlerhood

Often not comfy to sit when front carrying

Not particularly comfy in a hip carry

Mei Tais

Mei Tais (pronounced “may tie”) are a square of fabric with straps for the waist and longer straps for the shoulders. They are just like SSC’s but instead of buckles, you tie a knot with the straps.

Pros:

They can fit multiple wearers

They are very adjustable

There are adjustments that can make mei tais comfy while pregnant

A mei tai allows for a high back carry, which many babies who like to see out really love

Cons:

There is a small learning curve

The straps are long and can drag on the ground

Not particularly comfortable in a hip carry

Ring Slings

Ring slings are basically a long fabric with two rings at one end.

Pros:

Quick, especially for a baby/toddler that wants up and down frequently or while running quick errands

Allow for a comfortable hip carry, which babies who want to see out usually love

Provide excellent support for a newborn

Can be inexpensive

Easily adjustable for switching between adults.

Easy to nurse in discretely

Cons:

Can become uncomfortable with bigger babies (25lbs or heavier) for longer periods of times

One shouldered carries are not typically comfortable for extended periods of time

There’s a little learning curve

Stretchy Wraps

Stretchy wraps are a long (typically 5 meters or longer) slightly stretchy fabric.

Pros:

Inexpensive

You can pre-tie and pop baby in and out

Provide great positioning and support for newborns

Very soft and moldable for newborns

Can easily fit multiple adults

Warm and snuggly in winter

Wonderful for skin to skin time

Cons:

Many people find them saggy or less supportive after the baby reaches 20lbs

Cannot be used for back carries

There’s a slight learning curve

Depending on the brand, they can be too warm for summer time

Woven Wraps

Woven wraps are long non-stretchy fabric. They come in varying sizes (basically lengths from about two through six meters) and different carries can be done with different sizes.

Pros:

Infinitely adjustable

Can be used for front, back, and hip carries

You can pre-tie and pop baby in and out of hip or front carries

Allow for high back carries

Can be used from birth-preschool

Can easily fit multiple adults

Cons:

There’s a steeper learning curve

Depending on the carry, wrapping can take a few minutes

Cumbersome for wearing older kids who want up and down frequently unless you use a pretied carry